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As Might Guy himself said, "Hard work will never betray you!" The boy before him possessed such strength at a young age. This was the answer!
Evening – The Hot Springs of Konoha's Back Mountain
After an intense day of training, Ye Dou took Might Guy to a secluded hot spring in Konoha's back mountain to relieve their exhaustion.
"Ah! I never expected such a paradise hidden in the back mountain. Enjoyment is also part of youth, Ye Dou! Relax!"
Leaning back against the stone edge, arms resting behind his head, Might Guy squinted his eyes in satisfaction, clearly savoring the warmth.
"I don't know about paradise, but if there's a hot spring, that means there's volcanic activity beneath us. If it erupts, Konoha will be wiped out!"
Ye Dou soaked his body except for his head, his voice calm and collected.
Guy, however, jolted upright, his body stiffening. "A… a volcano?!" he stammered.
If one had to name the most terrifying force in the ninja world, it wasn't a shinobi or a forbidden jutsu—it was nature itself. No jutsu could stop a natural disaster.
Instantly losing any sense of relaxation, Guy scanned the surroundings nervously, debating whether to report this to the Hokage.
"Calm down," Ye Dou sighed. "It could also just be surface water circulating through the earth."
Konoha had been standing for nearly fifty years, and there had never been any volcanic activity. That meant this small hot spring was most likely formed due to geothermal heating rather than a hidden volcano.
"Oh… That makes sense! I knew the First Hokage wouldn't choose a dangerous location for the village! Hahaha!"
It was baffling how a man like Guy—who had mastered the Eight Gates and pushed physical prowess to the absolute limit—could be so naive.
A mongoose soaking in the hot spring with them cast a look of pure disdain at Guy.
"Truly, the ancients spoke wisely: when one door is closed, another is opened. In Guy's case, all his intelligence must have been absorbed into his muscles."
With his strength, he was practically a god of taijutsu, but his IQ… left much to be desired.
Youthful Gossip
"By the way, Ye dou, that girl earlier…"
With the supposed 'volcanic threat' forgotten, Guy's curiosity reignited.
"Hyūga Kahuo. The heir of the Hyūga Clan," Yato replied matter-of-factly.
Earlier that afternoon, Hyūga Kahuo had watched their training for a while, smiling before departing.
"As expected of my disciple!" Guy declared proudly. "The part of youth I never completed will be carried on by you! Hahahaha!"
In his excitement, Guy clapped Ye dou hard on the head.
Unlike many of his peers, Guy had never married. Some of his classmates' children were already old enough to go on missions, yet he remained single. It had always been a regret of his—his "youth" remained unfinished.
But now, his disciple had captured the interest of a noble Hyūga heiress. Not only did this make up for Guy's own regrets, but it also gave him immense pride!
Overcome with emotion, he lost control of his strength.
WHAM!
The force sent Ye dou plunging into the hot spring, swallowing several mouthfuls of bathwater.
Emerging with fury in his eyes and veins bulging on his arms, he was ready to retaliate—until Guy suddenly swept him into a bear hug.
"Idiot! Let me go!" Ye dou struggled.
"Don't be embarrassed, Ye dou! This, too, is part of youth! HAHAHAHA!"
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The Start of Ninja Academy
Days passed, and in the blink of an eye, Konoha entered its 55th year since its founding.
The morning sun shone brightly, a spring breeze rustled the leaves, and in the training grounds—
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Ye dou struck the wooden training post repeatedly. Compared to a year ago, he could feel his immense progress.
His body had become significantly stronger, and even without weighted training, he could throw 400 punches with ease—just a step away from mastering the Six Styles (Rokushiki).
His chakra reserves had also grown through relentless training, reaching the peak of a Genin—or even the level of a Chūnin.
For a six-to-seven-year-old, his talent was monstrous.
Even compared to Uchiha Itachi, he was stronger.
According to the records in the Ninja Academy, Uchiha Itachi had entered at age six. By seven, he had graduated, far surpassing his peers in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu. He was considered the strongest Genin of his generation and had already reached Chūnin-level strength.
Yet, Ye dou had the confidence to face him now.
His chakra reserves were larger. His body was physically superior. His kekkei genkai, the Gravity Bloodline, gave him a distinct advantage. The only thing to be wary of was Itachi's genjutsu.
As for his teacher Might Guy's long-time rival—Hatake Kakashi—Ye dou was even more confident against him.
People often hailed Kakashi as a prodigy, having graduated from the academy at five, but that didn't necessarily mean he was more talented than Itachi.
Kakashi had been born in Konoha's 44th year, during the height of the Third Shinobi World War. At that time, Konoha was at war with all four of the other Great Shinobi Villages. Manpower was scarce, so Kakashi had been rushed into the field out of necessity, earning battlefield experience at a young age.
Under normal circumstances, Kakashi would have entered the Academy at age six—just like Itachi.
But Ye dou's true advantage lay in his Gravity Bloodline. Its specialty in close combat allowed him to suppress even the famed swordsmanship of the Hatake Clan.
He clenched his fists, feeling the power coursing through him.
His path was clear—he would surpass them all.
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